Dysentery Unearthed in Ancient Toilets of Jerusalem

Archaeologists analyzing 2,600-year-old feces found at two cesspits used by the Kingdom of Judah’s elite in ancient Jerusalem have discovered traces of Giardia duodenalis, which causes dysentery, making it the oldest known example of the parasite infecting humans. The latrines were uncovered during digs in the Old City of Jerusalem dating from the 7th to 6th centuries B.C. The discovery of the dysentery-causing parasites suggests they were widespread in the kingdom at the time. The archaeologists used biomolecular analysis to reveal its presence in the ancient feces they recovered at both latrines.